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Garma
Garam More
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Agriculture |
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Developing Nations Should Formulate Policies On Gene Revolution -- Experts The developing nations will face a 'genetic divide' unless they formulated appropriate policies to become genuine partners in the ongoing gene revolution, which is embarking upon sequencing of human and other genomes, according to experts. Speaking at a National workshop on gene revolution here on Friday, they said the sequencing of human, animal, plant and microbial genomes was certain to cause a serious `genetic divide' that will separate those with the capacity to use information derived from sequencing of genomes and others. "The genetic divide is sure to be much wider than the digital divide that followed the Information revolution unless the developing countries placed technological innovation at the core of their development strategies," Harvard University director of science (technology and innovation programme) Calestous Juma said. Juma and a host of other experts also called for placing of DNA sequence data in the public domain so that all those who were interested in using such data for researches beneficial to the people. Presently only a small number of developing countries could make use of such data and more work was needed in these countries to promote local capacity in scientific and technical research, it was pointed out. The experts also highlighted the need for a fundamental view of the role of universities and their relationship with government, industry and civil society to benefit from the genomics revolution. "Science must find its proper and central place in society so that each country could make best use of the DNA sequence data that are available," the experts said. Concern was also expressed on whether the poor sections of the society would once again be excluded from being benefitted by the outcome of the gene revolution as had happened with the green revolution which, according to some participants, benefitted only the rich farmers. Well conceived policy initiatives and legislative measures at National levels to avoid such eventualities. Guy Sorman, advisor to french President, in his presentation, said that the public associated genomics with multinationals and USA with the result that there was an ongoing global war of words against genomics and a widespread hostility. "This was perhaps due to the fact that there are no more ideological or political debates in the present globalised scenario," he added. Sorman also said that at the same time it was also true that the leaders of the gene revolution and scientists spearheading it had failed to counter this notion through the media with convincing arguments. Later there was an interaction with the experts and mediapersons which was moderated by Frontline editor, N Ram. The workshop was organised by the MS Swaminathan foundation here. Dated
: 7th August,
2000
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